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update-mac-app

Update unsigned macOS apps from GitHub releases or Sparkle appcasts.

Updated May 31, 2026
Search Tags:#macos#update#unsigned#gatekeeper#appcast#sparkle#github-release
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/danseely/skills --skill update-mac-app
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: update-mac-app
Source: https://github.com/danseely/skills/tree/main/update-mac-app
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/danseely/skills --skill update-mac-app

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve?

Update locally installed unsigned macOS apps to their latest version by resolving the correct update source (GitHub release or Sparkle appcast), downloading the latest DMG/ZIP, replacing the install with a trashed previous version, stripping Gatekeeper quarantine, and relaunching. Works whether you have the source repo locally or only the installed app.

Core Features & Use Cases

  • Resolve update sources: GitHub releases or Sparkle appcasts.
  • Download and replace: fetch the newest DMG/ZIP and replace the existing app, moving the old copy to Trash.
  • Safety and relaunch: strip quarantine, relaunch the updated app, and provide fallback when the repo is unknown.

Quick Start

Provide the app name (and optional owner/name) to update the installed macOS app to its latest version.

Frequently Asked Questions about update-mac-app

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I update an unsigned macOS app to the latest version?▼

Updating an unsigned macOS app involves resolving the update source from a GitHub release or Sparkle appcast, fetching the newest DMG or ZIP, replacing the existing install, stripping Gatekeeper quarantine, and relaunching the updated application.

Can I update a macOS app if I only know the app name and not the GitHub repo?▼

Yes, you can update a macOS app with only the app name by relying on the installed app's own Sparkle appcast update feed, which provides a fallback update source when the owner/name repository is unknown.

How do I bypass Gatekeeper quarantine when updating an unsigned macOS app?▼

Bypassing Gatekeeper quarantine happens automatically during the update process by stripping the quarantine attribute from the downloaded DMG or ZIP before replacing the existing app and relaunching it.

Does updating macOS apps via Sparkle appcast move the old version to Trash?▼

Yes, updating via Sparkle appcast or GitHub release moves the old application version to Trash and replaces it in the /Applications directory with the newly downloaded version.

What is the best way to update locally installed unsigned macOS apps from GitHub releases?▼

The best way to update unsigned macOS apps from GitHub releases is to supply the owner/name repository, fetch the latest DMG or ZIP, trash the old app, strip quarantine, and relaunch the updated application.

Why does my macOS app update fail when the source repo is unknown?▼

When the source repo is unknown, the update relies on the installed app's own Sparkle appcast feed as a fallback; if neither a GitHub repo nor an appcast is available, the update source cannot be resolved.

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